Police request to remove Sitka spruce trees

[wazza]

Hi All

 

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but will give a brief idea anyway.  I own 10 acres of Sitka spruce and have been asked by the local policing board to remove probably around about an Acre of the woodland as it is interrupting their cellular private network signal.

 

I am on here to seek advice around what sort of things i should seek in compensation for doing this.  I have asked that they lay a stone road to the area of woodland they will be working in and remove stumps as they go, we can use this road afterward.  i have also asked for the value of the wood they remove to be paid to us rather than keep the wood.  

 

Should i be asking for compensation also for the effect this will have on the woodland as a whole ie:  it is now only 9 acres of Sitka spruce and not 10.  If we where to sell the land the next day that would have an effect on the price.

 

Anyway appreciate anyone reading this and commenting, leave your thoughts if you have any.  many thanks

[Muddy42]

I don't think they can force you to fell, so you are right to talk about compensation for agreeing.  Sitka is a commercial timber so you should be able to value the volume of timber extracted pretty accurately.  Yes to requesting a road - it will be a huge benefit to you in the future. 

 

I wouldn't mention stump removal. This will be a huge amount of work that is not normal when felling sitka plantations. I'd just ask for some extra cash instead.  Yes you can mention amenity value, even though in my opinion Sitka plantations have very little.  But it would be valid to try and bring up the future timber value you are forgoing by felling early.

[GarethM]

Isn't that Tetra, they're not the police authority but they're network is used by the police and they charge per usage of the system so are swimming in money.

 

I'd suggest speaking to the NFU office and they probably have a contact for a land agent.

 

Personally I'd want a good chunk, not just for the trees but the hassle.

[GarethM]

Yes, I watch Ringway Manchester on YouTube.

 

I would also say tetra will be getting replaced by mobile phone systems in the future, but surprisingly tetra are having problems with the future system.

 

I would also be mindful the tetra tower could become a telephone mast if it isn't already.

 

So whoever you speak with, keep that in mind that's a 5-10k a year rent someone could be getting. As these sites are always dual usage with even TV/internet/radio and other services paying for the space.

[dan blocker]

Surely it’s the network provider that should be negotiating with you to remove some woodland? They should have tested the network signal before any apparatus installation. They obviously are either not meeting their contract obligations or the police authority have allowed them to drive the proverbial coach and horse through the contract and are trying to save face/ reputation?  Either way they need to compensate you.

[Pete Mctree]

You need to speak to a good land agent. They can  help and advise you, not only to calculate appropriate compensation but also make it all happen if you choose to go ahead 

[dan blocker]

It may be worth getting a forestry consultant in to advise/ negotiate on your behalf to get the best return and their fees will be claimable against the police authority.